By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (15-26) will begin a four-game series and seven-game homestand in the series opener against RHP Jeff Hoffman and the National League-best Colorado Rockies (28-17) Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies return home, where they are 8-8 this season. They have dropped 13 of their last 16 contests on the road, including Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Colorado Rockies (28-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (15-26) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jeff Hoffman | RHP | Jerad Eickhoff | ||
| (1-0, 5.40 ERA) | (0-4, 4.53 ERA) | ||||
Hoffman Career vs. PHI: N/A
Hoffman, 24, will make his second spot start of the season, recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. The right-hander does not replace any arm in the Colorado rotation, but rather to fill in due to the Rockies' doubleheader this past Thursday.
In 6 2/3 innings and two appearances this season, Hoffman has allowed four runs on seven hits, two home runs and two walks while striking out 10. Through 31 1/3 innings last season as a rookie, the Latham, New York native went 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA.
The Rockies acquired Hoffman on July 28, 2015 — along with infielder Jose Reyes — in the six-player trade that sent 21-year veteran RHP Latroy Hawkins and five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Eickhoff Career vs. COL: 1-1, 9.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 6 SO, 2.000 WHIP
Eickhoff, 26, is averaging one earned run allowed per career inning pitched against the Rockies. His 9.00 ERA against the National League West division leaders is the highest against any club in his career, minimum two starts.
The right-hander is in the midst of a 10-game stretch of not receiving a winning decision. Eickhoff's last win came in his third-to-last outing last season, Sept. 21 against the Chicago White Sox. His most recent appearance on May 16 was a quality start, however he suffered a losing decision in the Phillies' 5-1 defeat to the Texas Rangers.
Starting Lineups:
| Colorado Rockies (28-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (15-26) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | TBA | 1 | TBA | ||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | ||||||
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
NL East Standings (entering May 22, 2017)
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 26 | 17 | — | 5-5 | W1 | 12-7 | 14-10 |
| Atlanta Braves | 18 | 23 | 7.0 | 7-3 | L1 | 8-10 | 10-13 |
| New York Mets | 18 | 24 | 7.5 | 2-8 | L1 | 10-13 | 8-11 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 15 | 26 | 10.0 | 2-8 | L2 | 8-8 | 7-18 |
| Miami Marlins | 15 | 28 | 11.0 | 2-8 | L1 | 6-14 | 9-14 |
What's Next:
- Tuesday, May 23, 2017: vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP German Marquez (2-2, 4.34 ERA) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (0-1, 4.25 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
